Data processing method in network system connected with image processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

When an ID card ( 41, 81 ) including user ID stored therein is set in an image processing apparatus ( 1, 71 ), the user ID is read out of the IC card. Upon depression of a key instructing individual setting, ID information including the user ID and apparatus ID is transmitted to a computer terminal ( 3; 3 - 1, 3 - 2 ) which stores a plurality of user ID&#39;s and setting information corresponding to the apparatus. Responding to the ID information transmitted, the computer terminal transmits individual setting information stored therein for each user back to the image processing apparatus, whereupon the apparatus stores the individual setting information in a memory and realizes the individual setting for each user, which corresponds to the set user ID, in a control panel ( 8 ) of the apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a data processing method in a networksystem to which a plurality of terminals, including an image processingapparatus capable of processing image data, can be connected.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hitherto, when reading and transmitting a document image with afacsimile, for example, the setting of a reading mode, designation ofthe destination (partner), etc. have been executed by complicated key-inoperations on a control panel.

For the purpose of making simpler the operation to be performed on thecontrol panel, it is known to store various settings beforehand and toread out a desired one of the settings for use upon request.

There are conventionally known, e.g., the registering functions listedbelow.

1) Registration of Destination Numbers

This is a function to store a plurality of destination (receiving party)facsimile (FAX) numbers for FAX transmission. Usually, the storeddestination FAX numbers are not erased even after a machine power supplyis turned off. By registering frequently used destination FAX numberswith the function of registering destination numbers, users can call thedesired one of the registered FAX numbers by simple operation and henceare no longer required to enter the individual destination FAX numbersagain for each FAX transmission.

2) Registration of Default Transmission Mode

This is a function to set a default transmission mode. The term “defaulttransmission mode” means an initial transmission mode established whenthe settings in the control panel related to image transmission arereset or cleared. With regard to reading image quality, for example,“standard” or “fine (high image quality)” is designated as a defaultmode. This default transmission mode information is also not erased evenafter the machine power supply is turned off.

3) Registration of Cover Page

There is a function to attach a cover page to the head of FAX data inFAX transmission. With this cover page registration, users can registerthe contents of a cover page. The cover page registered information isalso not erased even after the machine power supply is turned off.

However, the conventional facsimile described above has had thefollowing problems.

-   1) Because the facsimile is employed by a plurality of users in    common, the various settings of the destination FAX number    registration, etc. each have a limit in number capable of being    registered. Accordingly, it often occurs that in spite of desiring    to register frequently used destination FAX numbers, every user    cannot register all of the destination FAX numbers due to a shortage    of the registration area, or it happens that the destination FAX    numbers registered by one user are overwritten and erased by another    user.-   2) The various settings of the destination FAX number registration,    etc. are independent for each facsimile. Therefore, the operating    process to be made by users on a facsimile A and the operating    process to be made by users on a facsimile B may be different even    for the same model. This raises the problem that users have to keep    in mind the difference in operating process; hence operability is    deteriorated. Further, because the setting process, etc. are    necessarily different depending on different models of facsimiles,    users also have to keep in mind such a difference in operating    process as well.-   3) To prevent various information from being erased even after the    machine power supply is turned off, relatively expensive nonvolatile    memories are used in each facsimile to store various setting data.    The conventional facsimile cannot therefore store a large amount of    setting data, complex image data, etc. from the viewpoint of cost.    For that reason, the number of the destination FAX numbers capable    of being registered, for example, is limited. In addition, since a    complicated cover page includes a large amount of data and needs a    nonvolatile memory of large capacity, it has been required to form a    cover page with simple images which are less flexible in content.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processingapparatus which is free from the problems stated above.

Another object of the present invention is to improve operability of animage processing apparatus.

Still another object of the present invention is to easily select oneset of data in setting information stored in a memory accessible by aplurality of terminals on a network, which is adapted for an imageprocessing apparatus in target, thus enabling the image processingapparatus to be subjected to setting.

Still another object of the present invention is to enable a settingscreen in a control panel of the image processing apparatus to be easilyestablished as desired by individual users.

Still another object of the present invention is to enable the operatingenvironment, which is set by using the image processing apparatus, to bealso set in another apparatus connected to the network.

The above and other objects of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimileaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an imageprocessing unit of the facsimile according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a representation showing the arrangement of keys and a displayon a control panel of the facsimile according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a representation showing a user name setting screen displayedon the control panel of the facsimile according to the first embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a representation showing a phone directory setting screendisplayed on the control panel of the facsimile according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a representation showing a user switch setting screendisplayed on the control panel of the facsimile according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a representation showing a cover sheet setting screendisplayed on the control panel of the facsimile according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a representation showing a common setting screen displayed onthe control panel of the facsimile according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9 is a representation showing a situation of data being held in anonvolatile RAM of the facsimile according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is a representation showing a situation of data being held in avolatile RAM of the facsimile according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention, and practical examples of a transmission mode anduser switch data.

FIGS. 11 to 13 are representations showing individual settinginformation in the facsimile according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a key processing task in thefacsimile according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a color copyingmachine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a representation showing the arrangement of keys and adisplay on a control panel of the color copying machine according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a representation showing a simplified standard screendisplayed on the control panel of the color copying machine according tothe second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a representation showing a standard screen in Japanesedisplayed on the control panel of the color copying machine according tothe second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a representation showing a common setting screen displayed onthe control panel of the color copying machine according to the secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a representation showing a user switch setting screendisplayed on the control panel of the color copying machine according tothe second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 21 to 23 are representations showing individual settinginformation in the color copying machine according to the secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining a key processing task in the colorcopying machine according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 25 is a representation showing the arrangement of keys and adisplay on a control panel of a color copying machine according to athird embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 26 and 27 show, in the script form, examples of an operatingprocess for designating the resolution of transmission in the colorcopying machine according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining a key processing task in the colorcopying machine according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimileaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, a facsimile 1 according to the present invention comprises anexternal interface 7, a control panel 8, an image reading unit 9, animage processing unit 11, an image forming unit 13, an image/code memory15, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 17, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 18, avolatile RAM (Random Access Memory) 19, a nonvolatile RAM 20, an ID(identification) card reader 21, a CPU bus 22, and a modem 23, theseparts being connected to the CPU bus 22.

The facsimile 1 is connected to a server 3 via a network 2. Individualsetting information, described later, is transmitted and receivedbetween the facsimile 1 and the server 3 via the network 2. In additionto the facsimile 1 and the server 3, a copying machine 4, anotherfacsimile 5 and a printer 6 are also connected to the network 2 to beable to transmit and receive individual setting information with respectto the server 3 via the network 2.

The operation of the facsimile 1 according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention will now be described. In FAX (facsimile)transmission, digital image data 10 in the raster form obtained byreading a document image by the image reading unit 9 is sent to theimage processing unit 11 where image processing such as a FAX resolutionconversion process is carried out. Image data (raster image data) 14 inthe raster form resulting from the image processing such as the FAXresolution conversion process is written in the image/code memory 15.The image data written in the image/code memory 15 is coded by the CPU17 using the ME (Modified Read) method or the like and then written ascoded data in the image/code memory 15 again. After that, the coded dataread out of in the image/code memory 15 by the CPU 17 is modulated bythe modem 23 and then transmitted to a destination facsimile via apublic line 24.

On the other hand, in FAX reception, the modulated data received via thepublic line 24 is demodulated into the coded data by the modem 23. Thedemodulated coded data is first written in the image/code memory 15 andthen decoded by the CPU 17, followed by being written as raster imagedata in the image/code memory 15 again. Raster image data 16 read outthe image/code memory 15 is subjected in the image processing unit 11 tothe image processing such as the FAX resolution conversion process.Raster image data 12 resulting from the image processing such as the FAXresolution conversion process is sent to the image forming unit 13 wherean image is formed.

Various settings required for the above-mentioned image data readingprocess, processing of the transmitted image data, process oftransmitting image data to the destination facsimile, processing of thereceived image data, and image data forming process are made by users onthe control panel 8. In accordance with programs stored in the ROM 18,the CPU 17 controls the components of the facsimile 1 based on thesettings made on the control panel 8, and carries out the FAXtransmitting process and the FAX receiving process corresponding to thesettings designated.

The ROM 18 is a non-rewritable memory such that data once stored thereinis not lost even after a power supply (not shown) of the facsimile 1 isturned off. The ROM 18 is used to hold various control programs andfixed data. The volatile RAM 19 is an inexpensive rewritable memory suchthat data stored therein is lost or volatilized when the power supply ofthe facsimile 1 is turned off. The RAM 19 is used to hold datatemporarily. The nonvolatile RAM 20 is a relatively expensive rewritablememory such that data stored therein is not lost even after the powersupply of the facsimile 1 is turned off. The RAM 20 is used to hold datato be stored for a long time of period.

The ID card reader 21 is used to read data stored in an ID cardpossessed by individual users and to take in ID information. In thefirst embodiment, the ID card reader 21 is a contact type card readerreading ID information from the ID card inserted in the ID card reader21. The external interface 7 is an interface through which the CPU 17executes data communication with respect to the server 3 via the network2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the imageprocessing unit 11 of the facsimile 1 according to the first embodimentof the present invention. In FAX transmission, the raster image data 10output from the image reading unit 9 is multi-value high-resolutionimage data for each pixel and converted to have a predeterminedresolution (pixel density) by a resolution converter 31. The facsimile 1has three steps of resolution, i.e., “standard (8 pel×3.85 dot/mm)”,“fine (8 pel×7.7 dot/mm)”, and “superfine (8 pel×15.4 dot/mm)”,optionally selectable by users in the FAX transmission. In the casewhere the resolution selected by the user is “standard” or “fine”,reading a document image at the resolution of “superfine” requires aprocess for lowering the resolution of the raster image data 10. To thisend, a process parameter corresponding to the resolution selected by theuser is set in the resolution converter 31 by the CPU 17 via the CPU bus22.

The raster image data of which resolution has been converted by theresolution converter 31 in accordance with the process parametercorresponding to the resolution to be achieved is adjusted in density bya density converter 32. The facsimile 1 has a total of eleven optionsselectable by users in the FAX transmission, i.e., standard density,five steps of low (light) density, and five steps of high (dark)density. A process parameter corresponding to the density adjustmentvalue selected by the user is set in the density converter 32 by the CPU17 via the CPU bus 22.

The raster image data of which density has been converted by the densityconverter 32 in accordance with the process parameter corresponding tothe density adjustment value selected by the user is input to acharacter binary-coding unit 33 and a photograph binary-coding unit 34where the input data is binary-coded by respective methods that aredifferent from each other. The character binary-coding unit 33 performsa process suitable for binary-coding a character image, e.g., a simplebinary-coding process, and the photograph binary-coding unit 34 performsa process suitable for binary-coding a photograph image, e.g., apseudo-half tone process based on the dither method.

Outputs of the character binary-coding unit 33 and the photographbinary-coding unit 34 are both input to a selector 35 which selects oneof the outputs. The selected output is supplied as binary-coded data 14to the image/code memory 15. The facsimile 1 has two image modes, i.e.,“character” and “photograph”, selectable by users in the FAXtransmission. Corresponding to the selected image mode, one of theoutputs of the character binary-coding unit 33 and the photographbinary-coding unit 34 is selected by the selector 35.

Next, in FAX reception, the raster image data 16 read out of theimage/code memory 15 is converted by the resolution converter 36 to aresolution suitable for an image forming process to be carried out inthe image forming unit 13. The image forming unit 13 forms an image atthe resolution of “superfine”. On the other hand, there are three stepsof resolution, i.e., “standard”, “fine” and “superfine”, for the rasterimage data 16 transmitted from a partner facsimile via the public line24. Therefore, when the resolution of the received raster image data 16is “standard” or “fine”, a process for converting the resolution isrequired. Raster image data subjected to the resolution convertingprocess is output as the image data 12 to the image forming unit 13through the selector 37, and a visible image of the image data 12 isformed in the image forming unit 13.

In addition, the selector 37 can also select the binary-coded data 14resulting from binary-coding the image data read by the image readingunit 9. Accordingly, the apparatus can realize the so-called localcopying function with which the image read by the image reading unit 9is formed as is by the image forming unit 13 without the resolutionconverting process.

FIG. 3 is a representation showing the arrangement of keys and a displayon the control panel 8 of the facsimile 1 according to the firstembodiment of the present invention. In FAX transmission, the controlpanel 8 is employed by users to not only command the operation for theFAX transmission and perform other settings for the facsimile 1, butalso confirm the situation of the facsimile 1 including the operationcommands for the FAX transmission and other settings which are currentlyset.

In an area 42 of the control panel 8, there are disposed a reset key forreturning the operation commands for the FAX transmission to initialstates, a start key for starting the FAX transmitting operation, and astop key for stopping the FAX transmitting operation. An area 43includes numeral ten keys for setting the phone number of the FAXdestination and a C (clear) key for clearing the set phone number. Anarea 44 for indicating the FAX destination indicates the phone number ofthe FAX destination entered through the ten keys.

The areas 42 to 44 on the right side of the control panel 8 andlater-described areas 48 to 51 on the left side thereof are made up offixed keys and LEDs (Light Emitting. Diodes). Further, a central area 40of the control panel 8 is made up of a liquid crystal display portionand a transparent touch panel arranged over it. The central area 40makes it possible to display any desired screen and arrange keys in anydesired positions.

In a normal state including no individual setting, information shown inFIG. 3 is displayed in the central area 40. An area 45 indicatingdensity of image data in the FAX transmission is operated byarrow-headed keys on the left and right sides. The current densitysetting value is indicated in the form a bar and can be selected from atotal of eleven density steps. The selected density is referred to bythe density converter 32 carrying out the density converting process.

An area 46 indicating an image mode in the FAX transmission enableseither a process suitable for a character image or a process suitablefor a photograph image to be selected. This corresponds to the output ofthe character binary-coding unit 33 or the output of the photographbinary-coding unit 34 being selected by the selector 35 shown in FIG. 2.

An area 47 is used to designate the resolution of image data in the FAXtransmission, and the resolution converting process is carried out bythe resolution converter 31 based on the selected resolution.

In the above description, the phone number of the FAX destination, thedensity of the transmitted image data, the transmitted image data mode,and the resolution of the transmitted image data are parameters of therespective operation commands for the FAX transmission and are calledtogether a transmitting mode. These parameters of the transmitting modeare returned to the initial states by the reset key. In the FAXreception, the start key is not required because image data isautomatically printed when received from the opponent facsimile. Also,the operation in the FAX reception is instructed from the FAX source inmany cases.

In an area 48, there are disposed entry keys for call setting screens ofvarious auxiliary functions. In the case of setting the user name, whena user name key in the area 48 is depressed, a screen for setting theuser name is displayed on the central area 40 and the user name can beset on the screen through a touch panel. The setting screens of variousauxiliary functions will be described later. Additionally, values set bythose auxiliary functions are not affected upon the reset key beingdepressed.

An area 49 includes a default key for setting a default transmissionmode. In the default transmission mode, respective initial values of thetransmission mode are set in the control panel 8 when the power supplyof the facsimile 1 is turned on or when the reset key in the area 42 isdepressed. The default transmission mode is registered by settingdesired initial values of the transmission mode in the control panel 8and thereafter depressing the default key in the area 49.

For example, when the default key is depressed on the condition that“character” in the area 46 is selected in setting of the image mode and“fine” in the area 47 is selected as resolution, those settings areregistered as the default mode. Accordingly, when the power supply ofthe facsimile 1 is turned on or when the reset key in the area 42 isdepressed, the facsimile 1 is powered on in a state where “character” isselected as the image mode and “fine” is selected as resolution.

In an area 50, there are disposed one-touch dial calling keys (M1 key toM8 key) and one-touch dial registering key (set key). These one-touchdial keys are employed to register the phone numbers of the FAXdestinations. Because the M1 to M8 keys each correspond to one phonenumber, a total of eight phone numbers can be registered. In one-touchdial registration, a desired phone number is registered corresponding tothe M1 key, for example, by setting that phone number in the panelcontrol 8 and then depressing the M1 key while keeping the set keydepressed. Any phone number stored by the one-touch dial registrationcan be called just by depressing one of the M1 to M8 keys. By so doing,the corresponding registered phone number is automatically set as theFAX destination and indicated in the area 44 of the control panel 8.

The ID card reader 21 is provided in a lower portion of the controlpanel 8 and reads ID information via not-shown contacts when an ID card41 is inserted. Here, the term “ID card” means a portable storage mediumholding therein ID information to identify each of individual users. Atthe present, the ID card is generally in the form of a card constructedas a magnetic card or an IC card (hereinafter referred to as an IDcard). Such an ID card having a function to transmit various informationhas been already in use in copying machines, etc. By electricallyconnecting an end of the ID card 41 and the ID card reader 21 through aconnector (not shown), for example, ID information written in a memory(not shown) of the ID card 41 is read out.

An area 51 includes an individualize key. By depressing theindividualize key with the ID card 41 inserted in the ID card reader 21,each setting in the control panel 8 is performed as an individualsetting for each user.

FIGS. 4 to 8 are representations for explaining setting screens ofvarious auxiliary functions displayed in the area 40 when respectiveentry keys in the area 48 of the control panel 8 shown in FIG. 3 aredepressed.

FIG. 4 is a representation showing a user name setting screen 40-1displayed when the user name key is depressed. The term “user name”means the name of a transmitting person in the FAX transmission. In thecase where the individual setting is not made effective in the facsimile100 according to the first embodiment, a fixed user name common toindividual users can be employed. In the case where the individualsetting is made effective, different user names for personal use ofindividuals can be employed for each user.

Upon the user name key being depressed, the user name effective at thattime is displayed in the area 40 for verification, as shown in FIG. 4,regardless of whether the individual setting is executed or not. Theuser name setting screen 40-1 can be canceled by depressing a cancelkey. The user name can be changed by depressing the clear key on theuser name setting screen 40-1 to clear the user name set at present,depressing alphabet keys to enter a user name, and then depressing aregister key.

The following advantages result from different user names for personaluse of individuals being usable with the facsimile according to thefirst embodiment.

-   1) When a cover page is attached to a document for the FAX    transmission, the user name can be automatically put on the cover    page as an actual transmitting person.-   2) Who has used the facsimile can be confirmed by recording    individual user names on a communication log.-   3) To whom failures, etc. in the FAX transmission are to be informed    can be judged by employing individual user names in a communication    monitor and communication result report.

FIG. 5 is a representation showing a phone directory setting screen 40-2displayed when a phone directory key is depressed. A phone directory isused to store plural phone numbers of the FAX destinations. The phonedirectory requires more complex operation than the one-touch dialfunction, but can hold therein more phone numbers.

In the case where the individual setting is not made effective in thefacsimile 1 according to the first embodiment, a phone directory commonto users and stored in the nonvolatile RAM 20 can be used. In the casewhere the individual setting is made effective, phone directories forindividual users read out of the server 3 can be each used.

Upon the phone directory key being depressed, the phone directory usedat that time is displayed in the area 40, as shown in FIG. 5, regardlessof whether the individual setting is executed or not. Since phonedirectory data is displayed in pairs of the phone numbers of the FAXdestinations and the destination names, the FAX destination can be setby depressing one of upward and downward headed arrows to scroll thephone directory setting screen 40-2, selecting the desired phone number,and depressing a destination set key. Data of part of the phonedirectory can be deleted by depressing one of the upward and downwardheaded arrows, selecting the data to be deleted, and depressing a deletekey. When adding data to the phone directory, a similar enter screen asshown in FIG. 4 is displayed upon an add key being depressed. A desiredpair of the phone number of the FAX destination and the destination nameis entered on the displayed screen. The phone directory setting screen40-2 can be canceled by depressing a cancel key.

FIG. 6 is a representation showing a user switch setting screen 40-3displayed when a user switch key is depressed. The user switch key is akey which has a function of setting the operation of the facsimile 1,such as settings in usage of the control panel 8 and a coping method tobe taken in the event of an error, in accordance with the user's demand.

In the case where the individual setting is not made effective in thefacsimile 1 according to the first embodiment, user switch data commonto users and read out of the nonvolatile RAM 20 can be used. In the casewhere the individual setting is made effective, user switch data forindividual users read out of the server 3 can be each used.

Upon the user switch key being depressed, the user switch data set atthat time is displayed in the area 40, as shown in FIG. 6, regardless ofwhether the individual setting is executed or not. In the user switchsetting screen 40-3, “error sound level” indicates the volume of analarm sound produced in the event of an error. “Auto clear time” means atime set for returning automatically to the same state as when the resetkey is depressed, if no key-in operation is made within the set timeafter the last key-in operation. “Number of times of resendings” meansthe number of times designated so as to repeat dialing; for example,when the destination line is busy in the FAX transmission. On/off keyscorresponding to “error transmission report” are used for settingwhether an error transmission result report is printed or not by theimage forming unit 13 in the event of an error during the FAXtransmission.

FIG. 7 is a representation showing a cover sheet setting screen 40-4displayed when a cover sheet key is depressed. A cover sheet is a sheetattached to a document sent in the FAX transmission, and serves also asa separator between plural sets of received documents on the FAXreception side. Such information as the FAX destination, the FAX source,and the number of pages of the document subjected to the FAXtransmission and reception are put on the cover sheet.

In the case where the individual setting is not made effective in thefacsimile 1 according to the first embodiment, a cover sheet common tousers and read out of the nonvolatile RAM 20 can be used. In the casewhere the individual setting is made effective, cover sheets forindividual users read out of the server 3 can be each used.

Upon the cover sheet key being depressed, cover sheet setting data setat that time is displayed in the area 40, as shown in FIG. 7, regardlessof whether the individual setting is executed or not. In the cover sheetsetting screen 40-4, on/off keys are used to select whether a coversheet is attached or not in the FAX transmission. “Type A” and “type B”indicate the types of cover sheets held in the facsimile 1 beforehand,and can be selected by depressing a type A key and a type B key,respectively. A custom key is a key used to a cover sheet specific tothe user. A read key is a key used to form a new cover sheet specific toeach of individual users. A register key is a key used to register thesetting for the cover sheet.

Image data read by depressing the read key after setting a cover sheetspecific to the user in the image reading unit 9 is coded through thesame route as in the FAX transmission. The coded image data isregistered and held as cover sheet data.

FIG. 8 is a representation showing a common setting screen 40-5displayed when a common setting key is depressed. Common setting iscommon to users and hence not subjected to the individual setting in thefacsimile 1 according to the first embodiment. When the common settingkey is depressed, common setting data set at that time is displayed inthe area 40, as shown in FIG. 8.

In the common setting screen 40-5, a tone key and a pulse key are keysused to select whether dial tones or pulses are issued to the publicline in the FAX transmission. That selection is not subjected to theindividual setting. “Line No.” means the phone number of the facsimile 1itself, which is informed as the phone number of the FAX source to theFAX destination. That phone number is also not subjected to theindividual setting. Incidentally, when the facsimile 1 contains aplurality of public lines (e.g., PSTN and ISDN), that phone number issubjected to the individual setting.

FIGS. 9 to 13 are representations for explaining various setting data inthe facsimile 1. FIG. 9 is a representation showing a situation of databeing held in the nonvolatile RAM 20. In the nonvolatile RAM 20, thereare allocated a memory area 61-1 for storing the common defaulttransmission mode common to all users, a memory area 61-2 for storingthe user name common to all users, a memory area 61-3 for storing theone-touch dial number list common to all users, a memory area 61-4 forstoring the phone directory data common to all users, a memory area 61-5for storing the user switch data common to all users, a memory area 61-6for storing the cover sheet data common to all users, a memory area 61-7for storing the type A cover sheet data, a memory area 61-8 for storingthe type B cover sheet data, a memory area 61-9 for storing the commonsetting data, and other registered data holding area 61-10.

Note that since the data stored in the nonvolatile RAM 20 is not erasedeven after the power supply of the facsimile 1 is turned off, thecontents of the associated default data are also not erased.

In the first embodiment, since the common setting data is common to allusers and not subjected to the individual setting, they are stored inonly the nonvolatile RAM 20. The respective data stored in the memories61-1 to 61-6 are also common to all users. In the case where theindividual setting is not made effective, for example, immediately afterthe power supply of the facsimile 1 is turned, the respective commondata stored in the memory areas 61-1 to 61-6 are copied in memory areas62-1 to 62-7, described later, and employed as the setting values forall users. In this connection, for example, the contents stored in thememory area 61-1 for storing the common default transmission mode arecopied in the memory area 62-1 for storing the current transmission modeand the memory area 62-7 for storing the default transmission mode foreach user.

FIG. 10 is a representation showing a situation of data held in thevolatile RAM 19 of the facsimile 1 according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention, and practical examples of constituent elements ofthe transmission mode and the user switch data. In the volatile RAM 19,there are allocated a memory area 62-1 for storing the transmission modecurrently set in the control panel 8, a memory area 62-2 for storing thecurrently set user name, a memory area 62-3 for storing the currentlyset one-touch dial number list, a memory area 62-4 for storing thecurrently set phone directory data, a memory area 62-5 for storing thecurrently set user switch data, a memory area 62-6 for storing thecurrently set cover sheet data, a memory area 62-7 for storing thedefault transmission mode for each user, and a work area 62-8.

Note that the memory area 62-6 stores therein not only the dataindicating which type of cover sheet is being selected, but also imagedata representing the custom cover sheet data.

The data stored in the volatile RAM 19 is erased when the power supplyof the facsimile 1 is turned off. Accordingly, upon power-on of thefacsimile 1, respective initial values are set in the memory areas 62-1to 62-7 of the volatile RAM 19. Specifically, for example, the commondefault transmission mode stored in the memory area 61-1 of thenonvolatile RAM 20 is copied in the memory area 62-1 for storing thecurrent transmission mode and the memory area 62-7 for storing thedefault transmission mode. Further, the default user name, the defaultone-touch dial number list, the default phone directory data, thedefault user switch data, and the default cover sheet data are alsocopied in the corresponding memory areas.

The data stored in the memory areas 62-1 to 62-7 can be subjected to theindividual setting for each user. When the individual setting is madeeffective, the data stored in the memory areas 62-1 to 62-7 is replacedby the data for each user. When the individual setting is madeineffective, the data stored in the memory areas 62-1 to 62-7 isreplaced by the default data stored in the nonvolatile RAM 20 forinitialization as when the power supply of the facsimile 1 is turned on.

The transmission mode is made up of the destination FAX number 63-1,resolution 63-2, image type 63-3 and density 63-4. The user switch datais made up of an error sound level 64-1, auto clear time 64-2, number oftimes of resendings 64-2, and data 64-4 indicating the presence orabsence of necessity of an error transmission report.

In the above configuration, when registering the default transmissionmode, the contents stored in the memory area 62-1 for storing thecurrent transmission mode are copied, as they are, in the memory area62-7 for storing the default transmission mode. Also, when registeringthe default transmission mode in a state where the individual setting isnot made effective, the contents stored in the memory area 62-1 forstoring the current transmission mode are copied, as they are, in thememory area 61-1 for storing the common default transmission mode. Onthe other hand, when the default transmission mode is called upon, e.g.,the reset key being depressed, the contents stored in the memory area62-7 for storing the default transmission mode are copied in the memoryarea 62-1 for storing the current transmission mode.

Further, in the above configuration, when the setting of the auxiliaryfunction such as the user name, for example, is changed, the contentsstored in the memory area 62-2 for storing the user name for each userare rewritten. When the setting of the auxiliary function such as theuser name, for example, is changed in the state where the individualsetting is not made effective, the contents stored in the memory area61-2 for storing the common user name common to all users are rewritten.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are representations showing individual settinginformation in the facsimile according to the first embodiment. When theindividualize key 51 is depressed with the ID card 41 kept inserted inthe ID card reader 21 of the control panel 8, both machine group IDinformation 64-1 and user ID information 64-2 shown in FIG. 11 aretransmitted from the facsimile 1 to the server 3.

The machine group ID information is information for identifyingdifferent types of machine groups to be, e.g., 1 for copying machines, 2for facsimiles, and 3 for printers. The same machine group implies thatthe individual setting information is compatible within the group. Theuser ID information is information for identifying individual users. Theinformation is given as, e.g., 00001 for a user A and 00002 for a userB. Additionally, the machine group-ID information may also containinformation for indicating the machine model and information forindicating the version.

Upon receiving the machine group ID information 64-1 and the user IDinformation 64-2 from the facsimile 1, the server 3 transmits theindividual setting information (see FIG. 12) stored for each machinegroup and for each user back to the facsimile 1. The individual settinginformation is information indicating the final state of the controlpanel 8 in the preceding operation made by the user of the facsimile 1,and is made up of, as shown in FIG. 12, a preceding final transmissionmode 65-1, user name 65-2, one-touch dial number list 65-3, phonedirectory data 65-4, user switch data 65-5, cover sheet data 65-6, anddefault transmission mode 65-7.

In the facsimile 1, the individual setting information transmitted fromthe server 3 is copied in the memory areas 62-1 to 62-7 of the volatileRAM 19, whereby the individual setting is realized.

When the ID card 41 is withdrawn out of the ID card reader 21 after theindividual setting has been made on the control panel 8, machine groupID information 66-1, user ID information 66-2, and the individualsetting information at that time (including current transmission mode66-3, user name 66-4, one-touch dial number list 66-5, phone directorydata 66-6, user switch data 66-7, cover sheet data 66-8, and defaulttransmission mode 66-9) are transmitted from the facsimile 1 to theserver 3, as shown in FIG. 13.

Upon receiving those individual setting information from the facsimile1, the server 3 rewrites and updates the individual setting informationstored therein for each machine group and for each user.

By transmitting and receiving the individual setting information alongwith the machine group ID information and managing the individualsetting information for each machine group, as explained above, it ispossible to employ a common server for storing the individual settinginformation by copying machines, facsimiles and printers, and furthertake out the individual setting information specific to each machinegroup.

Also, as explained above, the final transmission mode of the facsimile 1in the preceding operation is transmitted to and stored in the server,and when the facsimile 1 is next operated by the same user, thattransmission mode is called from the server 3 upon entry of the user ID.This enables each user to continue the operation of the preceding FAXtransmission. Accordingly, the facsimile 1 allowing the so-called resumefunction to be utilized by a plurality of users in common can beachieved. In addition, the resume function in this embodiment isfeatured in that each user can continue the preceding transmittingoperation even in another facsimile different from the facsimile 1 whichwas employed for the preceding transmitting operation.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a key processing task in thefacsimile 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.In step S11, it is checked whether the individualize key is depressed ornot. If the individualize key is depressed, the process flow goes tostep S12 to determine whether the ID card 41 is inserted in the ID cardreader 21. If the ID card is not inserted, the process flow goes back tostep S11. On the other hand, if the ID card is inserted, the processflow goes to step S13 where user ID information is taken out of the IDcard 41 and a flag indicating that the user ID has been taken in is setto 1.

In step S14, as explained above in connection with FIG. 11, the machinegroup ID and the user ID are transmitted to the server 3 to request theindividual setting information corresponding to the machine group andthe user. In step S15, as explained above in connection with FIG. 12,the facsimile 1 receives the individual setting information from theserver 3 in response to the request. In step S16, the receivedindividual setting information is written in the memory areas 62-1 to62-7 of the volatile RAM 19 shown in FIG. 10 so-that the settinginformation is individualized or individually set in the control panel 8for the user corresponding to the user ID.

If the individualize key is not depressed in step S11, the process flowgoes to step S17 to determine whether the flag is set to 1 or not andwhether the ID card 41 is removed out or not. In other words, it isdetermined in step S17 whether the ID card 41 is removed out or notafter carrying out the individual setting. If the flag is set to 1 andthe ID card 41 is removed, this means the end of the operation. In stepS18, therefore, the machine group ID, the user ID and the latestindividual setting information are transmitted to the server 3 to updatethe individual setting information, as explained above in connectionwith FIG. 13. Further, the flag is reset to 0 and the contents stored inthe memory areas 61-1 to 61-6 of the nonvolatile RAM 20 for storing therespective default data are copied in the memory areas 62-1 to 62-7 ofthe volatile RAM 19, followed by clearing the individual setting state.

If the flag is not set to 1 or the ID card 41 is not removed in stepS17, the process flow goes to step S19 to determine whether any one ofthe one-touch dial calling keys, i.e., M1 to M8 keys, is depressed ornot. If any one of the one-touch dial calling keys is depressed, theprocess flow goes to step S20 where the data stored corresponding to thedepressed one-touch dial calling key is copied to the destination FAXnumber 63-1 in the memory area 62-1 for storing the current transmissionmode and is displayed in the area 44.

If no one-touch dial calling key is depressed in step S19, the processflow goes to step S21 to determine whether any other key than theone-touch dial calling keys and the FAX transmission start key isdepressed or not. If any other key is depressed, the process flow goesto step S22 in which the process corresponding to the depressed key iscarried out.

In step S23, it is determined whether the FAX transmission start key isdepressed or not. If the FAX transmission start key is depressed, theprocess flow goes to step S24 to start the FAX transmission inaccordance with the transmission mode set at the present.

In the first embodiment, the individual setting is made effective whenthe individualize key is depressed after the ID card 41 has beeninserted. Alternatively, the individual setting may be made effectiveupon the ID card 41 being inserted regardless of whether theindividualize key is depressed or not. The former case is advantageousin that the individual setting can be made effective at any desiredpoint in time, whereas the latter case is advantageous in that the useris not required to depress the individualize key.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, when the individualize key isdepressed, all items of the individual setting information are taken outof the server 3 to effect the individual setting, and when the ID card41 is removed out, all items of the individual setting information aretransmitted to the server 3 for updating the individual settinginformation. It is however also possible to perform the individualsetting partly only when required, and to update the individual settingpartly only when required. This is advantageous in that a communicationtime between the facsimile 1 and the server 3 can be reduced since theindividual setting information is partly transmitted and received onlywhen required.

Particularly, in the case of handling a large amount of data as with,for example, the first embodiment wherein image data such as the coversheet data is subjected to the individual setting, there can be such anadvantage as that the processing time is cut down by omitting theuseless individual setting and not updating the useless part of theindividual setting information. More specifically, it is usual that thecover sheet data is not transmitted and received as the individualsetting information, and the custom cover sheet data is received fromthe server 3 only when the setting to attach a custom cover sheet isinstructed and the FAX transmission is instructed. Also, only when acustom cover sheet is registered is the custom cover sheet datatransmitted to the server 3 for updating.

Moreover, while in the first embodiment a copy of all items of theindividual setting information stored in the server 3 is held in eachfacsimile, only part of the copy of all items of the individual settinginformation may be held on the facsimile side, or such a copy may not beheld at all. In the former case, for example, only part of the phonedirectory data shown in FIG. 5, which is to be displayed, is receivedfrom the server 3 and held in the facsimile each time the occasionrequires. When the screen is scrolled, the next phone directory data istransmitted from the server 3 for each scrolling stroke. A large amountof phone directory data can also be handled in such a manner. Statedotherwise, a large amount of phone directory data is required to bestored in only the server 3, and each facsimile can receive only arequired part of the phone directory data when required, without beingrestricted in memory capacity thereof. In the latter case, the copy ofthe individual setting information is not held in a memory of eachfacsimile and is taken in from the server 3, whereas the individualsetting information stored in the server 3 is updated each time theindividual setting information is updated.

While in the first embodiment the contents of the final setting aretransmitted back to the server 3, the setting may be performed with datawhich is temporarily different from the usual. In such a case, aninstruction is entered from the control panel 8 so that those data arenot transmitted back to the server 3.

Embodiment 2

The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the firstembodiment in a manner of transmitting a read image, a manner ofconnection to the network, the number of servers for storing theindividual setting information, a manner of identifying ID, a manner ofregistering the individual setting information, individual settingitems, and so on. However, the second embodiment operates and executesprocessing basically similarly to the second embodiment in other points.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a color copyingmachine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Thecolor copying machine of the second embodiment will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 15, a color copying machine 71 according to the secondembodiment of the present invention comprises an external interface 72,a control panel 8, an image reading unit 9, an image processing unit 11,an image forming unit 13, a CPU 17, a ROM 18, a volatile RAM 19, anonvolatile RAM 20, an ID card reader 73, and a CPU bus 22, thesecomponents being connected to the CPU bus 22.

In the second embodiment, the color copying machine 71 is connected anetwork 2 through an image controller 74. The image controller 74 has animage memory 74 a stores color image data read out of the color copyingmachine 71 in the image controller 74. The image controller 74 hasfunctions of transmitting an image data to respective user computers(computer terminals employed by users) 3-1, 3-2 via the network 2,receiving image data from the user computers 3-1, 3-2 via the network 2,storing the received image data in the image memory 74 a, and thenoutputting the stored image data to the color copying machine 71 toprint a color image.

This second embodiment having the configuration explained above isadvantageous in that a network connecting portion can serve in versatileways by connecting the color copying machine 71 to the network 2 throughthe image controller 74 to transmit and receive the individual settinginformation rather than directly connecting the color copying machine 71to the network 2 to transmit and receive the individual settinginformation. The user ID information for the individual setting, themachine information, and the individual setting information aretransmitted and received between the color copying machine 71 and thecomputer terminal for each user through the image controller 74. Thus,in the second embodiment, an access is made to the computer terminalconnected to the network through the image controller 74 and so on.

Image data 10 read by the image reading unit 9 is subjected to aresolution converting process and other processes in the imageprocessing unit 11, and is output as raster image data to the imagecontroller 74 through the external interface 72. The image data outputfrom the color copying machine 71 is first written in the image memory74 a of the image controller 74. After that, the image data read out ofthe image memory 74 a is converted into a format adapted for an externalmachine as the destination, and then transmitted to the user computers3-1, 3-2, etc. via the network 2.

On the other hand, the destination may be a facsimile 5 capable ofreceiving facsimile data via the network 2. In this case, data adaptedfor facsimile is formed by coding performed with, e.g., the ME method,in the image controller 74 and then transmitted to the facsimile 5 viathe network 2.

Further, the second embodiment include a plurality of computer terminalswhich correspond to servers for storing the individual settinginformation. More specifically, the individual setting information istaken in for one user through the user computer 3-1 and for another userthrough the user computer 3-2. Information indicating from whichcomputer terminal the individual setting information is to be taken inis acquired as part of the user ID information stored in an ID card. Asan alternative, for example, the user ID information may be broadcast toeach machine connected to the network, and the computer terminal whichholds the individual setting information corresponding to the user IDinformation may responsively transmit back the individual settinginformation.

Also, each of the personal computers connected to the network 2 has itsown network address which is contained as part of the user IDinformation stored in an ID card. Accordingly, in the case where theindividual setting is made effective, a command for requesting transferof the individual setting information is sent to the personal computerwhich has the network address read out of the ID card, and the requestedpersonal computer responsively transmits the individual settinginformation. The first embodiment is advantageous in that the individualsetting information can be controlled in a centralized fashion and aserver storing all of the individual setting information always exists,while the second embodiment is advantageous in that a specific serverstoring all of the individual setting information is not necessarilyrequired and each user can edit the individual setting information withhis own personal computer.

Incidentally, a computer terminal which is the destination of a readimage for one user and a computer terminal which stores the individualsetting information for the same user may be the same computer orseparate computers.

In the second embodiment, the ID card reader 73 is a non-contact typecard reader. Recently, a non-contact type ID card reader utilizingelectric waves is beginning to be employed for, e.g., identifying apasserby in control of opening and closing office doors. Also, researchof such a non-contact type ID card reader has been progressed inapplication to automatic ticket gates of trams or the like. Anon-contact type ID card reader can be relatively simply realized by,for example, constructing an ID card from a battery-incorporated IC cardand generating electric waves from the IC card side. Note that an ICcard may have any other suitable form so long as ID information can beacquired in a non-contact manner.

The first embodiment has an advantage that the contents of a user IDcard can be surely identified and the ID information can be taken inwith certainty upon the ID card being inserted. On the other hand, thesecond embodiment has an advantage that the ID information can be takenin just by a user standing in front of the color copying machine 71 withthe ID card kept on the user's body without requiring the user to insertthe ID card in the ID card reader.

FIG. 16 is a representation showing the arrangement of keys and adisplay on the control panel 8 of the color copying machine 71 accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention. The non-contact typecard reader 73 is provided in a lower portion of the control panel 8 andtakes in ID information from an ID card 81 in a non-contact manner.

In the first embodiment, at the time the ID card is withdrawn, theindividual setting information stored in the server is updated. On theother hand, in the second embodiment, the individual setting informationstored in the server is updated at the time a register key provided inan area 82 of the control panel 8 is depressed explicitly. Thus, thefirst embodiment has an advantage that the individual settinginformation is automatically updated without a key-in operation, whereasthe second embodiment has an advantage that the individual settinginformation can be kept from being updated if it is desired.

Further, in the second embodiment, the recognized user ID information isdisplayed in a lower left portion of the area 40 so that the user canconfirm whether the recognized result is right or not. While there is nopossibility of erroneous recognition in the first embodiment because aninsertion type ID card is employed, there is a possibility in the secondembodiment using a non-contact type ID card that the individual settingmay be performed in accordance with false ID information taken in by theIC card reader responding to another ID card of a passerby or the likedifferent from the user who is going to employ the color copying machine71. To avoid such erroneous recognition, it is important in the secondembodiment that the user can confirm the ID information.

Moreover, while in the first embodiment the phone number is designatedas the FAX destination of the read image, the network address of thedestination is designated in the second embodiment. The network addressis entered through numeral ten keys provided in the area 43 anddisplayed in the area 44. Additionally, FIG. 16 is illustrated as beingable to enter only one destination address. However, the color copyingmachine 71 in the second embodiment can transmit the read image to aplurality of machines at the same time, and to that end, it is designedto be capable of setting a plurality of destination network addresses.In addition, one-touch dial calling keys provided in the area 50 areused to store not the destination FAX number, but rather the destinationnetwork addresses. Note that transmission through a network is notdirectly concerned with “dialing”, but “dial” represents a close conceptin designating the destination and hence the term “one-touch dial” isalso used here.

While in the first embodiment the resolution is selected from threesteps of “standard”, “fine” and “superfine” (in units of mm), theresolution is selected in the second embodiment from six numericalvalues, i.e., 72 dpi (dot per inch), 100 dpi, 200 dpi, 300 dpi, 400 dpiand 600 dpi (in inch units), as shown in the area 47. Althoughresolution standards in facsimiles are determined and a selectable rangeof parameters can be restricted, the color copying machine of the secondembodiment has no limitation in how the image data read and transmittedto the user computer is employed. For this reason, as needed in thesecond embodiment various items can be designated in detail. In FIG. 16,for simplicity of the explanation, only character/photograph imagemodes, density of a transmitted image, and resolution thereof are shownas parameters capable of being designated in reading the image similarlyto the first embodiment. In addition to those parameters, otherparameters below may also be selectable and subjected to the individualsetting; 1) color/monochrome switching, 2) color system in colorprinting (e.g., RGB/Lab switching), 3) the number of bits per pixel andswitching between multi-value reading and binary reading), 4) processingsuch as trimming and masking, 5) designation of format of a transmittedimage, 6) designation of a compressing method in the case of imagecompression, 7) designation of an image name, etc.

Additionally, in the second embodiment, the information displayed on thecontrol panel 8 and the items selectable on it can also beindividualized in setting.

FIG. 17 is a representation showing a standard screen 40-6 simplifiedfor beginner-level users and displayed on the control panel 8 of thecolor copying machine 71 according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 17 shows only the areas 46 and 47 extracted fromthe screen shown in FIG. 16. On the screen of FIG. 16, users candesignate the resolution by selecting one of six-step numerals. Such ascreen for designating the resolution is convenient for higher-classusers, but it is difficult for beginner-level users to understand themeaning of the numerals put on the screen; hence the six-step numeralsare not often necessary for them. In the screen for beginner-levelusers, therefore, it is preferable that the resolution be displayed inmore simplified form in three steps each given a corresponding name, asshown in FIG. 17, allowing those users to select one of the three-stepresolution values. Whether to display the screen shown in FIG. 16 or thescreen shown in FIG. 17 is individually set depending on a level of eachuser.

FIG. 18 is a representation showing a standard screen 40-7 in Japanesefor Japanese zone users which corresponds to the standard screen 40-6 ofFIG. 17. In the color copying machine of the second embodiment, thedisplayed language is automatically individually set in accordance withdesignation of the displayed language made by each user.

FIG. 19 is a representation showing a common setting screen 40-8displayed when the common setting key in the area 83 shown in FIG. 16 isdepressed. While the destination phone number is registered in the firstembodiment, the destination network address is registered in the secondembodiment as shown in FIG. 19. Note that network addresses areallocated to color copying machines in one-to-one relation and thereforeare not subjected to the individual setting.

FIG. 20 is a representation showing a user switch setting screen 40-9displayed when the user switch key in the area 83 shown in FIG. 16 isdepressed. On the user switch setting screen 40-9, users can change theuser level and the displayed language mentioned above. Two beginner andhigher levels are selectable for the user level. The beginner-levelusers can select one of the three-step resolution values as shown in thescreen of FIG. 17, and the higher-level users can select one of thesix-step resolution values as shown in the screen of FIG. 16. While theitems selectable by the beginner- and higher-level users have beenexplained in connection with a simple example, it is also possible tochange the setting flow between the beginner- and higher-level users, ordisplay a confirmation screen for the beginner-level users.

On the other hand, the displayed language can be selected betweenJapanese and English. The screen of FIG. 18 is displayed for users whohave selected Japanese, and the screen of FIG. 17 is displayed for userswho have selected English. The displayed language is similarly changedin other screens as well.

As for other auxiliary functions assigned in the area 83, the user nameis the same as in the first embodiment and a user name setting screen isalmost the same as shown in FIG. 4. Also, instead of the phone directoryin the first embodiment, there is an address notebook in the area 83.This auxiliary function is used to store a plurality of destinationnetwork addresses rather than storing a plurality of destination phonenumbers, and an address notebook setting screen is almost the same asshown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 21 to 23 are representations showing individual settinginformation in the color copying machine 71 according to the secondembodiment of the present invention. When an individualize key in thearea 82 is depressed in a condition where the ID card 81 is positionedso close to the control panel 8 that the ID information stored in the IDcard 81 is readable, machine ID information 102-2, model ID information102-3, and machine group ID information 102-4 of the color copyingmachine 71 are transmitted from the color copying machine 71 to-the usercomputer having a network address 102-1 of the destination, as shown inFIG. 21.

The network address 102-1 of the destination is given by the networkaddress of a personal computer possessed by each user which is read outof the ID card 81. In other words, the network address 102-1 of thedestination corresponds to the user ID information. The machine IDinformation 102-2 is information used for identifying each machine.Specifically, the network address of the color copying machine 71 itselfset on the screen shown in FIG. 19 is employed as the machine IDinformation 102-2. The model ID information 102-3 is information usedfor identifying models of the same type machine and given as, e.g., 1for a model X color copying machine manufactured by A Co., 2 for a modelY color copying machine manufactured by A Co., and 3 for a model Z colorcopying machine manufactured by B Co. The model ID information 102-3 mayalso include version information of each model. The machine group IDinformation 102-4 is information used for identifying the machine groupand given as, e.g., 1 for copying machines, 2 for facsimiles, and 3 forprinters.

Upon receiving the machine ID information, etc. from the color copyingmachine 71, the computer terminal for the user transmits the individualsetting information, which is stored for each of the machines controlledby the user through the computer terminal, back to the color copyingmachine 71. The individual setting information transmitted back from thecomputer terminal consists of, as shown in FIG. 22, a scan mode 103-1,user name 103-2, one-touch address list 103-3, address notebook data103-4, user switch data 103-5, and default scan mode 103-6. The userswitch data 103-5 includes user levels employed for the individualsetting of data and selectable items displayed on the control panel 8,as well as information of the language used. The color copying machine71 copies the individual setting information transmitted back to it inthe respective memory areas of the volatile RAM 19 for the individualsetting.

When the register key is depressed after the individual setting has beenmade on the control panel 8, machine ID information 104-2, model IDinformation 104-3, machine group ID information 104-4, and theindividual setting information at that time (consisting of a scan mode104-5, user name 104-6, one-touch address list 104-7, address notebookdata 104-8, user switch data 104-9, and default scan mode 104-10) aretransmitted from the color copying machine 71 to the computer terminalhaving a network address 104-1 of the destination, as shown in FIG. 23.Upon receiving this individual setting information from the colorcopying machine 71, the computer terminal for the user rewrites andupdates the individual setting information stored therein for eachmachine.

By transmitting and receiving the individual setting information alongwith the machine ID information and managing the individual settinginformation for each machine, as explained above, there is obtained anadvantage that the individual setting can be performed for each machine.In the case of employing a nearby low-speed copying machine and ahigh-speed copying machine in common to a large number of users, forexample, frequently used modes of the copying machines are oftendifferent from each other because they are employed for differentpurposes. In such a case, it is convenient that the individual settingcan be performed for each machine.

The first embodiment is designed to hold the individual settinginformation for each machine group such as represented by copyingmachines and facsimiles, whereas the second embodiment is designed tohold the individual setting information for each machine. However, thesecond embodiment may be modified so as to hold the individual settinginformation for each model. This corresponds to an intermediateconfiguration between the first and second embodiment. Morespecifically, different data of the individual setting information areheld for a model A and a model B which belong to the same machine group,e.g., copying machines, but the same individual setting information isheld for a machine A and a machine B which belong to the same model A.This is advantageous in that the individual setting information can beutilized in common for machines of the same model which have the commonmachine configuration, etc. and different data of the individual settinginformation can be utilized for each of machines of different modelswhich have different machine configurations from each other.

By transmitting plural items of ID information such as the machine IDinformation, the model ID information, the machine group ID information,and the user ID information, as explained above, it is also possible tomake the computer terminal determine what kind of individual settinginformation is to be transmitted. More specifically, the computerterminal holding the individual setting information in common to alltypes of machines for each user determines items of the individualsetting information to be transmitted on the basis of the user IDinformation. Also, the computer terminal holding the individual settinginformation for each machine group and for each user determines items ofthe individual setting information to be transmitted on the basis of themachine group ID information and the user ID information. The computerterminal holding the individual setting information for each machine andfor each user determines items of the individual setting information tobe transmitted in accordance with the machine ID information and theuser ID information.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining a key processing task in the colorcopying machine 71 according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention. In step S31, it is determined whether the individualize keyis depressed or not. If the individualize key is depressed, the processflow goes to step S32 to determine whether the ID card 81 is positionednearby the non-contact type ID card reader 73, i.e., whether the ID card81 is positioned or not so close to the non-contact type ID card reader73 that the contents stored in the ID card 81 can be read by it.

If the ID card 81 is positioned nearby the non-contact type ID cardreader 73, the process flow goes to step S33 to take in the user IDinformation, including the network address of the user's personalcomputer, from the ID card 81 in a non-contact manner using electricwaves. Since the individual setting information to be obtained is storedin the personal computer having the taken-in network address, the userID information is transmitted to the personal computer having thatnetwork address to request the individual setting information. In thesecond embodiment, since the terminal for which the individual settinginformation is requested is the user's personal computer and the networkaddress of the user's personal computer represents the user ID, it isnot needed to additionally transmit the user ID information to thecomputer terminal.

In step S35, the color copying machine 71 receives the individualsetting information from the user's computer terminal. The individualsetting information in the second embodiment includes user levelsemployed for the individual setting of data and selectable itemsdisplayed on the control panel 8, as well as information of the languageused. In step S36, each setting in the control panel 8 is individualizedor individually carried out in accordance with the received individualsetting information.

If the individualize key is not depressed in step S31, the process flowgoes to step S37 to determine whether the ID card 81 is detected or notand whether the register key (see the area 82 shown in FIG. 16)indicating registration of the individual setting information isdepressed or not by the user. If the ID card 81 is detected and theregister key is depressed, the individual setting information istransmitted to the computer terminal of the user to update theindividual setting information (see step S38). In the second embodiment,though not shown in FIG. 24, when the ID card 81 is moved away from theID card ID reader 73 and a predetermined period of time elapses afterthat, the individual setting state is automatically cleared, followed byreturning to the initial state.

If the ID card 81 is not detected or the register key is not depressedin step S37, the process flow goes to step S39 to determine whether anyone of the one-touch dial calling keys is depressed or not. If any oneof the one-touch dial calling keys is depressed, the process flow goesto step S40 where the network address stored corresponding to thedepressed one-touch dial calling key is set as the destination networkaddress.

If no one-touch dial calling key is depressed in step S39, the processflow goes to step S41 to determine whether any key other than theone-touch dial calling keys and a scan start key is depressed or not. Ifany other key is depressed, the process corresponding to the user leveland each depressed key is executed (step S42). The screen and thesetting-enable items displayed in this case are individually set inaccordance with on the user level and information of the language used.

In step 43, it is determined whether the scan start key is depressed ornot. If the scan start key is depressed, the process flow goes to stepS44 to start reading of a document image in the scan mode currently setin the control panel 8.

In the second embodiment, the individual setting is made effective whenthe individualize key is depressed in the condition where the ID card 81is positioned nearby the ID card reader 73. Altenatively, the individualsetting may be automatically made effective when the ID card 81 ispositioned nearby the ID card reader 73 and a predetermined period oftime elapses in such a condition. The former case is advantageous inthat the individual setting can be avoided from being automatically madeeffective upon the IC card reader responding to another ID card of apasserby or the like than the user who is going to employ the colorcopying machine 71, whereas the latter case is advantageous in that theuser is not required to depress the individualize key.

Also, in the second embodiment, the color copying machine 71 has anetwork scanner capable of transmitting image data, that is obtained byreading a document image, to a plurality of external machines, and anI/F (interface) used for transmitting the read image data is the same asan I/F used for communication of the individual setting information.However, such an I/F as SCSI (small computer system interface) may beused to construct the color copying machine 71 as a general scanner fortransmitting the read image data to one external machine. In this case,a network I/F for communicating the individual setting information withthe computer terminal is required in addition to the SCSI fortransmitting the read image data.

Embodiment 3

A third embodiment of the present invention is basically similar to thesecond embodiment except in a manner of taking in the user ID and amanner of setting the operating process individually.

FIG. 25 is a representation showing the arrangement of keys and adisplay on the control panel 8 of the color copying machine 71 accordingto the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the ID card reader isnot provided and a user enters ID information through the control panel8 to acquire a user ID. More specifically, when an ID key disposed in anarea 101 of the control panel 8 is depressed, an ID entering screen isdisplayed in the liquid crystal display portion of the central area 40.After entering an ID number using the numeral ten keys 43, a keypositioned adjacent to a displayed secret number (password) isdepressed, causing the screen into an entry state of the password. Inthis state, the password is entered using the numeral ten keys 43.Registration of the user ID is then ended by depressing an OK key.

Thus, the third embodiment requires the user to enter not only the userID, but also the secret number (password) for verification of the userhimself.

Further, the third embodiment is constructed such that the color copyingmachine 71 receives a script describing the operating process from thecomputer terminal (that may be the server 3), and programs in thecontrol panel interprets/executes the script to effect display andkey-entry setting, thereby enabling the user to carry out the operation.

FIGS. 26 and 27 show, in the script form, examples of an operatingprocess for designating the resolution of transmission in the colorcopying machine according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 26 corresponds to the displayed contents and key settingin the area 47 of the screen shown in FIG. 16 according to the secondembodiment, and shows an example of a script transmitted from thecomputer terminal to provide an operating process for higher-classusers. In FIG. 26, L101 indicates declaration of the start of a script.L102 indicates an instruction of arrangement of a key named “72 dpi”,and L103 means that a process to be executed upon that key beingdepressed is given by “entering 72 to a variable <res mode>”. Likewise,L104 to L113 each indicate an instruction of arrangement of acorresponding one of keys named “100 dpi” to “600 dpi”, and contents ofan instruction for a process to be executed upon the key beingdepressed. Finally, L114 indicates the end of the script representingthe operating process for the area 47.

The program in the control panel interprets the above-mentioned scriptand automatically determines the size and arrangement suitable for anoperating screen, followed by displaying messages and receiving a keyinput.

FIG. 27 similarly corresponds to the displayed contents and key settingin the area 47 of the screen shown in FIG. 16 according to the secondembodiment, but shows an example of a script transmitted from thecomputer terminal to provide an operating process for beginner-classusers. This example differs from the example of FIG. 26 in that the nameof each key is changed to an intuitive name. For example, the key name“standard” is used instead of the key name “72 dpi”, and the number ofselectable keys is reduced from six to three.

In relation to the individual setting of the operating process, thethird embodiment is advantageous in that flexibility of the individualsetting is increased because the color copying machine receives theoperating process for the control panel in the script form, which isadapted for the individual setting, from the computer terminal asexplained above. Stated otherwise, in the third embodiment, operationmessages and key positions can be freely selected in accordance with thecontents of the script. For example, it is easy to change the displayedlanguage by rewriting the scripts shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, and alsoeasy to increase the number of selectable values of resolution. Anotheradvantage is that since receiving the operating process in the scriptform enables messages and keys to be converted to have the size andarrangement suitable for the operating screen of the color copyingmachine through the programs in the control panel of the color copyingmachine, the same script can be used for different machines havingscreens of various sizes.

In the third embodiment, as explained above, the color copying machinereceives a script adapted for the individual setting from the computerterminal, and the program in the control panel of the color copyingmachine interprets and displays the script, thereby enabling the user tocarry out the operation. Alternatively, the color copying machine mayreceive control panel programs adapted for the individual setting fromthe computer terminal and execute the control panel programs, therebyenabling the user to carry out the operation. In this case, the receivedcontrol panel programs are stored in the volatile RAM 19 of the colorcopying machine and executed by the CPU 17. This provides an advantagethat the individual setting can be performed with greater flexibilitythan in the third embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the script can be edited in the color copyingmachine if there is proper input means. Also, the third embodiment maybe practiced by a method of editing a script in the computer terminal,or employing a script commercially available from makers.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining a key processing task in the colorcopying machine 71 according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention. In step S51, it is determined whether the ID key is depressedor not. If the ID key is depressed, the process flow goes to step S52 todisplay the screen shown in FIG. 25, prompting the user to enter theuser ID and the password. After taking in the user ID and the password,a flag indicating that the user ID has been taken in is set to 1.

If the ID key is not depressed in step S51, it is determined in step S53whether the individualize key is depressed or not. If the individualizekey is depressed, the process flow goes to step S54 to determine whetherthe flag is set to 1 or not, i.e., whether the user ID has been alreadytaken in. If the user ID has been already taken in, the user ID and thepassword are transmitted to the computer terminal (step S55).

In step S56, the individual setting information including a script whichdescribes the operating process is received from the computer terminalin accordance with the user ID and the password transmitted thereto.Though not shown in FIG. 28, if the transmitted password is not correctin step S55, the color copying machine cannot receive the individualsetting information and an error message is informed instead.Accordingly, the process flow goes back to step S51 after displaying theerror message. In step S57, each setting in the control panel 8 isindividualized or individually performed in accordance with the receivedindividual setting information.

In step S58, it is determined whether the flag is set to 1 or not andwhether the register key indicating registration of the individualsetting information is depressed or not. If the flag is set to 1 and theregister key is depressed, the individual setting information set in thecolor copying machine at the present is transmitted to the computerterminal to update the individual setting information (step S59).

On the other hand, if the flag is not set to 1 and the register key isnot depressed in step S58, the process flow goes to step S60 todetermine whether any key other than the register key and the scan startkey is depressed or not. If any other key is depressed, the processcorresponding to the user level and each depressed key is executed (stepS61). In this case, turn-over of the operating screens, items displayedon the operating screens, and items selectable on the operating screensare changed in accordance with the script which is included in theindividual setting information and describes the operating process.

Though not shown in FIG. 28, the process executed upon one of theone-touch address (dial calling) keys being depressed is also includedin the processes of step S60 and step S61. Also, in the thirdembodiment, when the reset key is depressed, or when no operation isperformed for a predetermined period of time, the individual settingstate is cleared, followed by returning to the initial state, whereuponthe flag is set to 0.

In the embodiments explained above, the user ID is taken in by using acontact/non-contact type ID card and manually inserting the contact typeID card. However, the user ID can be entered in any other suitablemanner so long as the user ID is taken in with certainty. It is possibleto, for example, enter the user ID by voice, identify the user by voice,or identify the user by reading the iris, face, finger print, name plateor the like by a camera.

Also, the above embodiments have been explained in connection with theindividual setting in an ordinary image reading apparatus which reads animage on a document in the form of a paper sheet and transmits readimage data to another apparatus. However, the present invention is alsoapplicable to any other apparatus which has a mode capable of enablingthe individual setting to be carried out. For example, the presentinvention can be applied to a film scanner which reads a photographicfilm and then transmits read image data to another apparatus.

Further, while in the above embodiments respective apparatus or machinesare interconnected by using a bus-type network, the bus-type network maybe replaced by any suitable other type network so long as it can connectthose apparatus to one another. In addition, those apparatus may beinterconnected wirelessly rather than using wires.

Moreover, in the above embodiments, the computer terminal storing theindividual setting information is constituted by one specific server ora plurality of servers using personal computers of users. Alternatively,one facsimile or scanner may also function as such a server storing theindividual setting information.

As described above, according to the embodiments, various settings of animage processing apparatus are held in a computer terminal for each useroutside the apparatus and when a user employs the apparatus, theapparatus receives the various settings for the user from the computerterminal and performs the various settings of the apparatus in anindividual manner. This provides an advantage that an image processingapparatus capable of giving remarkably improved operability to the useris achieved.

Practically, the setting performed on the control panel can be set in anindividual manner specific to each user, and various settings ofdifferent image processing apparatus can be performed with the sameoperability. This provides an advantage that setting of a large amountof data and storage of image data, which have been difficult in thepast, can be realized by using the computer terminal on a network.

The processing of the facsimile 1 including the above-explainedoperation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14 and the processing of thecolor copying machine 71 including the above-explained operation shownin the flowcharts of FIGS. 24 and 28 are controlled by the CPU 17 inaccordance with program data stored in the ROM 18. Also, the processingof such computer terminals as the server 3 and the user computers 3-1,3-2 is controlled by an MPU of the relevant computer terminal inaccordance with an execution program stored in a memory of the computerterminal.

The present invention may be applied to not only a system comprising aplurality of equipment (e.g., a host computer, an interface unit, areader and a printer), but also an apparatus comprising a singleequipment (e.g., a copying machine and a facsimile).

The present invention can also be implemented by supplying, to anapparatus or system which is connected to various devices so that thedevices are operated to realize any of the functions of theabove-described embodiments, program codes of software for realizing thefunction of any embodiment, and causing a computer (CPU or MPU) in theapparatus or system to operate the various devices in accordance withthe loaded program codes.

In such a case, the program codes of software serve in themselves torealize the function of any of the above-described embodiments; hencethe program codes themselves and means for supplying the program codesto the computer, for example, a storage medium storing the programcodes, constitutes the present invention.

Storage mediums for storing the program codes may be, e.g., floppydisks, hard disks, optical disks, photo-magnetic disks, CD-ROM's,magnetic tapes, nonvolatile memory cards, and ROM's.

Also, the function of any of the above-described embodiments is realizedby not only a computer executing the program codes supplied to it, butalso the program codes cooperating an OS (Operating System), any othersuitable application software or the like which is working on thecomputer. It is thus a matter of course that the program codes in thelatter case are also involved in modified embodiments of the presentinvention.

Further, the present invention involves such a case where the suppliedprogram codes are stored in a memory built in a function add-in board ofa computer or a function add-in unit connected to the computer, and aCPU or the like incorporated in the function add-in board or unit thenexecutes part or whole of the actual process in accordance withinstructions from the program codes, thereby realizing the function ofany of the above-described embodiments.

The present invention has been described above in connection withseveral preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited tothe illustrated embodiments and may be modified in various ways.

1.-10. (canceled)
 11. An image processing apparatus comprising: an inputunit configured to input image data; a processing unit configured toperform a job based on the image data input by said input unit; anoperation unit configured to display an operation screen and accept auser operation based on the operation screen; an entering unitconfigured to enter a user ID; and a control unit configured to controlthe operation screen for the job to be performed by said processing unitbased on individual setting information corresponding to the user IDentered by said entering unit; wherein the individual settinginformation includes preceding setting information which is previouslyused by a user of the user ID, and default setting information for theuser of the user ID.
 12. The image processing apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein said input unit inputs the image data obtained byreading an image on a document.
 13. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein said control unit controls the operationscreen of a reading parameter for reading the image based on theindividual setting information.
 14. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein said processing unit performs a sendingjob for sending the image data input by said input unit to a designateddestination.
 15. The image processing apparatus according to claim 14,wherein said control unit controls a displayed destination list based onthe individual setting information.
 16. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein said control unit controls a displayedlanguage of the operation screen.
 17. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein said control unit controls the number ofa user selectable items to be displayed on said operation unit.
 18. Theimage processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said controlunit controls said operation unit for displaying a common operationscreen without entering the user ID by said entering unit.
 19. A methodfor controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising steps of:inputting image data; performing a job based on the image data input insaid inputting step; displaying an operation screen and accepting a useroperation based on the operation screen; entering a user ID; andcontrolling the operation screen for the job to be performed in saidperforming step based on individual setting information corresponding tothe user ID entered in said entering step; wherein the individualsetting information includes preceding setting information previouslyused by a user of the user ID, and default setting information for theuser of the user ID.
 20. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium storing a computer-executable program that, when executed bycomputer, causes the computer to perform the method according to claim19.